Push fastener



Oct. 15, 1946. E'. A. MILLER PUSH FASTENER Filed March 9, 1945 EDWINALIG-UETMILLEFK W ATTY Patented Oct. 15, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-ICE PUSH FASTENER Edwin August Miller, Fairfield, Conn. Application March 9, 1945, Serial No. 581,80!)

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to push fasteners, and more particularly to a sheet-material anchoring means to be inserted within a bore or passage and be self-locking when pushed therein and be adapted as a supporting means for a member projecting therefrom.

The object of the invention is to provide a permanent fastening means within a preformed bore or passage not extending entirely through the work-piece.

A further object is to provide an anchoring means to and from which another member may be attached and detached.

With reference to the accompanying drawing the Figure 1 illustrates in perspective a preferred form of the device; Figure 2 illustrates in perspective a modified form of the device; Figures 3 and 4 illustrate in perspective views of a further modification, each with parts in a different relative position; Figures 5 and 6 are upright views of the preferred form of device of which Figure 5 is a normal representation and the Figure 6 illustrates the device locked. Within a passage provided by a work-piece shown in cross-section; and the Figures 7 and 8 are diagrammatic presentations of different positions of the locking elements with relation to the line of interior Wall surface of passage designated by heavy circular line.

With more particular reference to the accompanying drawing the numeral 1 designates the base seats as illustrated by the Figures 1, 5 and 6. In this preferred form of device the base seats I together integrally support an erect fastener push element 2 of an inverted U-shape, this push element 2 not only serves as a means by which the device may be manually pushed and locked within a passage but, in its projected relation to the passage provides a means by which any attachment (not illustrated) may be secured thereto. For such attachment the top 3 of the push element 2 is provided with the bore 3'. The base seats I also integrally support at an obtuse angle thereto the relatively divergent and upwardly extending fins 4 and 5, one upon each side of the push element 2. The fins 4 and 5 have a convex formation, each presenting an upwardly facing cutting curved edge 6, the outstanding mid-portion I of each edge 6 providing the locking elements of the device. The fins 4 and 5are made adapted to yield to the extent of engaging their corners 8 with opposite sides of the push element 2, but such yielding movement of each fin 4 and 5 is met with a strongresistance by reason of the near rigid quality of the structure of the device. The diagrammatic Figures 7 and 8 show the normal and the operated positions, respectively, of the edges 6 of the fins 4 and 5, particularly with regard to the outstanding mid-portion 'l of each fin relative to the line 9 of wall interior surface of the passage Ill.

.The operation of this preferred form of device is very simple but efiective. The normal outside reach of the fins 4 and 5 being greater than the inside diameter of the passage H! of the workpiece lfl, the device by means of the manually held push element 2 is forcibly inserted Within the passage l0 so that the fins 4 and 5 resistingly yield inwardly toward one another surficiently to admit their entrance therein to the locked position shown by the Figure 6 wherein, upon any attempted withdrawal of the device therefrom, the outstanding mid-portion l of the fins 4 and 5 bite into the wall surface of the passage ID to positively lock the device in its inserted position. It is obvious, however, that if an attachment (not illustrated) does not make it impossible, the U-shaped push element 2 might be temporarily or otherwise collapsed laterally thereof sufiiciently to release the bite of the fins 4 and 5 from within the passage ID as a means of withdrawal of the device therefrom.

The Figure 2 illustrates a slight modification of the device. In this form, the base seat I integrally supports an erect shaft of sheet-material as the push element 2' having the bore 3" as one means of attaching another member (not illustrated) thereto. The base seat I, as in the preferred form, supports integrally a fin 5 in the identical form as thatof the fin 5. The operation of this modified form of device issimilar to that of the preferred form, excepting that the side edges of the push element 2' cooperate with the fin 5' in centering and holding erect the locked device within a passage intended therefor.

The anchorage of this form of device is absolutely positive, there being no way of Withdrawal.

The Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a still further modification of the device with a base seat I" having the bore 3" which may be tapped to receive a screw II by which any erect attachment (not illustrated) may be secured to the base seat I" to be supported thereby as a push element. The base seat I" supports the fins 4" and 5" of identical form as 4 and 5, the said Figures 3 and 4 illustrating the normal and operated positions, respectively. In locked position the corners 8 of the fins 4" and 5 engage one another in the event that an attachment (not illustrated) is not positioned between them. The, operation of this modified formof the device is identical with that of the preferred form, an attachment (not illustrated) providing a push element. The anchorage provided by this form of device is posi tive, there being no means for withdrawal unless, as is possible with all of the forms herein disclosed, the cut-material edges of the fins are rounded with the intent of producing a device the anchorage of which is frictional only.

I claim:

1. A push fastener comprising a sheet-stock structure having a base seat body part, said structure including a resistingly yielding and upwardly extending fin element supported by said base part at an obtuse angle thereto; a convex-preformed upper free end portion with which the fine 2. A push fastener comprising a sheet-stock structure having a central body part provided with a base seat; a resistingly yielding and upwardly extending fin element supported by said seat and upon each opposite side of said body part and thus positioned relatively divergent, one to the other; a convex-preformed upper free end portion with which each fin element is provided; an outer cutting edge of the most far distant mid-portion of the free end of each of said fin elements; and corners upon either side of said mid-portions and adapted to engage said body portion upon the extreme yielding movement of said fin elements.

element is provided; and an outer cutting edge end of said fin element.

EDWIN AUGUST MILLER. 

